On-line kinetic measurement of water toxicity using the photobacterium Vibrio fischeri

Abstract

A kinetic method of determining the toxicity of water is described. The method utilizes quenching of the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri and an on-line microcomputer-controlled flow analysis system. The slope of the logarithmic light decay plot with time is determined as an indication of relative toxicity. Plots of slope versus concentration show the threshold level of toxicity for a given compound towards V. fischeri, and the rate of change of toxicity with concentration.